Interview with Artist & Designer, Julie Kaye

Julie Kaye is a talented Artist & innovative Designer based in Leeds, creating artwork that exhibits across the world. Julie’s unique style of complimenting digital with handcrafted illustration, is one like no other. The shapes and patterns make up the whole which then draw the viewer into the picture, to then see the level of skill and time spent to create such detail.

Currently exhibiting at the Strychnin Gallery in Berlin, I caught up with Julie to discover some more…

Q. In your own words, what is it you do?

A. I am an artist, and I think to answer this properly I will give you my definition of what I believe art is: Art is a way of communicating thoughts with feelings and imagination in a powerful, engaging language.

Each time I embark on a creative process, this is what I aim to do.

Q. You currently have your work showing at the Strychnin Gallery in Berlin. Tell us more about the topic and what you were asked to present.

A. The Strychnin Gallery’s exhibition topic was announced as ‘Edge of Love’. Artists were given the freedom to interpret the topic in whatever way they wanted.

My piece is entitled ‘The Second Gate‘.

My interpretation of ‘Edge of Love’ came from researching the garden of Adonis, and the relationship between Adonis and Venus (Aphrodite). This included Venus, her children and the significance of the garden as a place where souls entered and left the earth.

The symbolism I used to illustrate the piece is fertility, nurturing, eternity, transformation, gender supremacy for both male and female, rebirth, renewal, emotion, love and desire.

Q. Where did your inspiration come from?

A. In a way, my inspiration came in a pattern. It began with sketches of fish and snakes – symbolic of rebirth, renewal and many other positive associations.

This led to reading one thing after another, and I came to the story of Adonis and Venus. It seemed appropriate to the theme.

I was also inspired by a piece of software that uses the computer mouse to randomise a graphic of the universe. Over a two week period, the software created common patterns that were unique to me. Each day I made a recording that lasted between three and seven hours as research.

I then recreated this idea with a similar hand movement using a graphite pencil, instead of digitally. The final artwork shows this movement as the protonesque circles and chaotic lines. The movement brings a secondary perspective of the planet Venus.

Q. How did your international connections come about?

A. I have put my artworks on as many different web networks as possible. You soon have people getting in touch if they like what you do, and empathise with what you create.

I have made some amazing friends and strong connections that have led to opportunities like the Strychnin Gallery. Similarly, if I see an artist, gallery, or business that I really like, I always get in touch!

Q. What other projects do you currently have on?

A. I’m just about to do a virtual world exhibition for the music portal, Pop Lab.

I am also apart of the HatchKingdom Museum’s ‘Oversized & Underpriced’ sticker exhibition that is about to display at The Arty Farty Gallery in Cologne, on Saturday 17th April.

Q. Tell us about what you think of the Arts scene in Leeds?

A. I have struggled to find connections to the Arts scene in Leeds. It’s a shame! However, I will be submitting a piece to Leeds Art Gallery’s Summer Exhibition. I have spent a lot of time visiting this gallery and to become part of a show there, would be incredible!

Q. With this in mind, what does a typical day look like for you?

A. My day to day work is very different compared to the exhilaration of exhibiting around the world. However, administration, thinking, research, learning and creating, all contribute to the bigger picture.

Q. Having exhibited around the world, where do you see yourself going from here?

A. Very simply, onwards and upwards!

Check out Julie Kaye’s artwork online here, follow on Twitter @juliekaye01, or simply get in touch by emailing hello@juliekaye.co.uk or commenting below.